2nd Brick in the Bag

Getting out to perform another brick was a little bit more of a task than the first. Motivation wasn't necessarily high but I knew that I should do it up so I donned my Saxo Bank Cycling Suit and headed out. I put on earbuds this time w/ my iPhone Quattro set to shuffle my 'Recently Added Music' Playlist as well as drinking a full bottle of liquid. That wasn't the best idea, but for nutrition, I had half a Costco pizza, polish dog and a chicken caesar salad w/ diet coke to boot. Mix in a couple of samples from the Sunday Costco Buffet and that was it. I can't say that it was good energy, but nonetheless, I was ready. I didn't have anything else to work out. I was making good time on the bike ride but near the end of the last climb, a weird muscle that I've never felt on my back start to pain me a little. It slowed me down tremendously, but I kept on rolling. This ride was definitely a lot more "boring" without a pace setter w/ me (ala @juanrcm) but it was a good ride overall. When I got to the house, I changed quickly and for the first time realized how hard it is to actually change from bicycling outfit to running shorts with all the sweat in between. I almost didn't make the change because it was like taking off a wetsuit and putting on another wetsuit. Gross I know, but seriously sucks!

I stepped outside and started jogging forgetting to grab my new Garmin Wrist Strap for my Garmin Edge 500 GPS.  I didn't want to delay further so I set out at a mild pace. At about .2 miles, I noticed how my legs felt as if concrete had dried up in my veins. It was a rough first mile, but I got through it. I'm definitely happy that this time around I was able to ride 12.9 miles and jog ~3.4 miles mimicking the full route for the San Diego Tri-Rock. I felt good overall but I'm still lacking in the swimming portion. I better get on that huh?

Here are my Garmin Connect Maps from yesterday's brick.

Books & My First Brick

As previously noted just a day ago, I signed up for my first Sprint Tri.  More specifically, I signed up for the San Diego Tri-Rock which is just under 58 days from the publishing of this post.  I have the bug and I can't deny it.  Buying a couple of magazines tonight and reading the last two editions of Competitor Magazine San Diego Edition, I'm all about getting fit and doing it right.  Well, starting off on the right foot at least.  I thought that I could get off to a simple easy start w/ more magazines so I set out to Barnes and Nobles in Mira Mesa and picked up a couple more.

One of my friend's had a book entitled "Racing Weight: How to Get Lean for Peak Performance" by Matt Fitzgerald which looked good so I thought of picking that up too.  Of course, the only one that they had in stock was on hold but I might as well just buy the book from Amazon anyways.  I also found another book by critically acclaimed trainer, coach and athlete Joe Friel conveniently titled "Your First Triathlon" so I added that to the cart too.  Expect reviews on adellelijah.com in the upcoming weeks.

Click on these links below to check them out via my amazon affiliate link!

Since I decided a couple of days ago to do this sprint tri, I thought that I should get a head start and do the bicycle and running portion of the race.  Apparently this is called a brick with whom I was enlightened by Mr. Espiritu (@ly0n123).  Today was the first full day that I was back in San Diego, so I made it my goal to do the 4S Ranch CC Loop (which conveniently happens to be a 20K (12.4 miles)) followed by a 5K (3.1 miles).  I also got to ride with a new colleague, Mr. Juan M. (@juanrcm)who found me on Twitter as a cyclist in his neighborhood.  I kept a great pace with a goal in mind to beat my previous 55 minute trial and riding alongside Juan made it easier and more enjoyable. Check them out here via my Garmin Edge 500 from Garmin Connect. note: I still have yet to pick up the Garmin Quick Release kit so that I can wear my G500 on my wrist instead of gripping it in my hand while jogging. Maybe I'll pick it up tomorrow at REI in Convoy.

I had a 10 minute transition which included changing my outfit + shoes and waiting for my sister. It all worked out in the end, but I copped out and only completed 2 miles. Here's my excuse if you care to know: It was getting dark and I decided that I should head in.

I still think that I did a pretty awesome job with it being my first brick workout and all. I'm going to be at Nite Moves SD tomorrow night anyways for a full 5K so I don't feel that bad. Come check it out!

If you're asking, I'm thinking about swimming tomorrow or sometime later in the week. Not open water just yet, but we'll see.

Going All the Way!!!

I figured that since I'm pretty serious with training for a Sprint Tri I have to enhance my personal motivation, so I took the next step and I committed myself.  I signed up for the San Diego Tri-Rock Series which takes place on September 12, 2010.

This specific Sprint Tri includes a 500m swim, 20km bike followed by a 5K run.  I'm not that scared but you can say that the swim frightens me a little bit.  I was able to swim 600m the other day at the apartment pool but I was taking breaks here and there.  My next goal this week is to really condition myself at the local YMCA or maybe the LA Fitness.  I'm not sure how I'm going to do this but I have some time!

Time I have left to train for my first sprint tri: [fergcorp_cdt_single date="September 12, 2010"]

Fitness is the new Goal

I've always been into some kind of staying in shape activity but lately, I've definitely felt the need and desire to take it to a different level. I'm feeling more competitive, energetic and just want to do a lot!  It started with the Mud Run a couple of weeks back with my good friend and groomsman Bobby Nourani.  I've also done a 10K with Matty P in Northport, Long Island New York and the St. Patty's 10K in San Diego, all three which I didn't train for.  I'm not proud, but I think that I need to get a little more serious. I'm sure you've noticed that I've also been cycling quite a bit over the last year but because of my erratic work schedule, I haven't been able to keep a constant build.  Even my friend Ryan Espiritu has passed me up in cycling accomplishments and we started around the same time!  Bottom line, I'm going to try harder.  You can check out the past 20 or so days since the Mud Run below.  You'll see my stats and everything that I'm logging on Garmin Connect.  You can also track me on my Garmin Connect Identity here: irija Fun times!!!

1st Shot at Torrey Pines...SUCCESS

I did it...my first attempt at Torrey Pines was a success. I kept my cadence up and felt pretty good once I got to the top. It was my first time riding by myself in a while and without surprise it definitely isn't as fun. It paid off as I got a ride back home once I reached my destination. As a matter of fact, I had it in me to bike back home along the same route and make a it a roundtrip but my phone was at 10% and I didn't want to get stuck somewhere without it just incase anything happened i.e. I'm too tired to ride up back the 56 bike path.

After the ride, I hung out for about an hour until Adelle got off of her 12 hour shift at Scripps La Jolla Hospital, headed to Robertos in Carmel Valley for some Carne Asada Fries then over to Yogurt World in Mira Mesa. Good eats for sure!

Thanks to that special someone that wrote in chalk along the bike path some motivational notes. In the beginning of the climb, there was in bright pink, "Almost there," followed by a "Dig Deep," then another,"Just kidding, a little more to go," and then the final, "You made it!" There was also a message saying,"Happy Birthday to D _ _ _ _." Some pretty awesome stuff to read while you struggle up the little hill.

Anyways, here's a post of my route. Check it out!